Norma is a seasoned kayaker, who has already contributed a kayak review of her 2004 W300.
I have many kayaks, and use all of them for different times and depending on who I’ll be paddling with.
I have gotten to a point of “what to get rid of” boat wise, and the Wavewalk will never be gotten rid of, as I love the boat because of the difference I feel when I paddle it.
I belong to a lot of different kayaking groups in different states, and I also participate in online kayaking forums. Once I posted a few positive remarks on the Wavewalk’s performance in different water conditions, and I was rebutted by someone who I’m very sure never paddled a Wavewalk kayak, but left serious demeaning comments of it. Funny, at the time I thought maybe those comments were made by a competitor trying to disclaim the Wavewalk without trying it first.
Mack (my dog) and I go solo most often in my Wavewalk, and feel totally secure in any condition we find. It is superior to other yaks in distance and comfort level for sure.
In my 10 ft W300 I have kept up with “serious“ sea kayakers, but they still refuse to try the Wavewalk – I just don’t get it… I tell them to watch the videos showing it in the surf, etc. It’s such a loss for them. I don’t get what they’re afraid they’ll be missing, other than the shape of their old kayak.
I did find it hard to rescue 2 paddlers in the water from the traditional rec kayaks to get them back into their boats as it was sinking without flotation as I was sitting higher with a dog, but then again they safely hung to my Wavewalk while their tandem kayak without flotation sank in the water, and were safely rescued from a motorboat that I flagged down.
I’ve never had to rescue a sea kayak as of yet, but I believe I sit too high to assist in such a recovery, other than maybe they can use my W hulls to help themselves. It really depends on the kayaker in trouble to know enough to help themselves.
The Wavewalk is really different and most do not appreciate that yet. One day I believe they will.
I paddle away with or without my dog, and I’m not sure of what other kayakers think when they see me keeping up with them, especially in the rough conditions they paddle in sometimes.
Once I was told by some good kayakers I know that they had to rescue a sea kayaker, when I made it back fine from the same area with my W, and I had my dog on board. They told me these things at the landing launch, after their paddling trip, and I just smiled, knowing they knew I was paddling through the same area in a smaller boat they don’t accept…
I feel very safe in my W boat, and it is so comfortable. I truly want it to be known, and a success.
Those long and slim sea kayaks are a dying fashion IMO, as not too many kayakers seem to appreciate having to acquire and maintain the special skills these boats require.
Ironically, it’s the fact they require so much learning and practicing that also makes these kayaks so dear to the few kayakers who do manage to reach and keep a good paddling and rolling technique.
Wavewalk should offer a longer and faster version of its W kayaks IMHO
QS
I don’t understand the attacks on the wave walk line of yaks myself.
But sometimes, it’s all due to change.
People are afraid of change, and don’t like the risks involved.
But the only risk with the W’s, is not trying them.
Its sad, but while I sit high and dry, safe from wakes, winds, and whatever else mother nature or crazed motor boats want to throw at me…………
I paddle forth exploring my surroundings and thanking God, the Wave Walk yaks have allowed me back on the water, paddling off into the sunset.
Tight Lines and Paddle safe all.
Rox
Norma, it’s their machoism, pure and simple.
Mike
It’s hard for people to accept change. For example, it took the snowboard years to become a popular snow sport, and I guess the best and most experienced skiers were not necessarily the first to embrace it
Arthur
With little in their pipelines but more surf toys turned into fishing craft or touring boats what do we think they will say? Of course the W is attacked since it’s easy to throw words at it. Many times the reason folks don’t want to try it is because they don’t want to face the fact they made a bad choice in watercraft. I’ve had folks tell me how clumsy the boat looks only to change their story when they come in 200 yards behind me paddling like crazy to keep up. Just look at all the “new and different” kayaks coming out this year for fishing. No wonder they badmouth the W, their stables are bare and they just can’t face the fact there is nothing really new they can offer.
Let other people paddle their yaks, and say what they want…
As long as our spirit’s high and our butts are dry – who cares?
KW
These boats aren’t really kayaks. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. They’re a new kind of paddled watercraft. Add them to the list of kayaks, canoes, sit-on-tops, paddle boards, etc etc. As long as we’re out on the water having fun & being safe, that’s what matters.
I’ve been paddling a faux-kayak all these years!
Marco
Faux kayaks are the real thing
KW
Hmm…I’ve always felt that my w-kayak was too good to be true
I can’t say SM is wrong, since we add the word ‘kayak’ to the product’s name just to make it easier for people to categorize it, and find our website when they search the Internet. The alternative would have been be to call it ‘watercraft’, or ‘boat’ which may be technically more correct, but also too general and thereby less descriptive, eventually.
With the proliferation of sit-on-top, pedal-driven, outrigger, inflatable, motorized and other kayak designs, it’s possible to say that ‘kayak’ today means a small, lightweight, generally narrow, personal watercraft.
Sit-in sea kayaks can be labeled ‘traditional style kayaks’.
W Paddle Craft? Nah!